Wilshere moving on from injuries

21 May 2013 06:17

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere hopes the latest operation on his troublesome ankle will prove the last as he looks to recover full fitness for both club and country next season.

The 21-year-old England midfielder is set for surgery in the coming days to remove a pin inserted during a previous procedure, which has hampered his progress during the closing weeks of the Barclays Premier League campaign as he was limited to mostly substitute appearances using painkillers.

"I don't want to miss England games - that's the pinnacle in any player's career so you want to be involved in every game you can," Wilshere said in an interview with Sky Sports.

Wilshere is seen as an integral part of Roy Hodgson's plans for the World Cup and having missed all the 2011/12 campaign through injury, the combative midfielder is keen to get back towards his top form following another frustrating spell of rehabilitation before heading off with Arsenal for their pre-season tour of Asia.

He added: "If we can get there (to the World Cup) it would have been nice to go out there (to Brazil) and see what it's like and get used to it a bit; get used to the weather and the locals and see what it's like. There is also the Ireland game, which is a big game too. It's going to be a good atmosphere at Wembley and it would have been nice to have been there.

"But we have got a friendly against Scotland as well (in August) and that will be a big one.

"It is an important year for qualifiers next season, so hopefully I can get myself fit and get involved in that."

Wilshere sees no reason why England should not be back in Brazil next summer, currently second in Group H behind Montenegro, whom they face at Wembley on October 11.

"We have got ourselves in a good position, and have to think positively," the midfielder added. "If we win all our home qualifiers we can get to the World Cup and it will be a successful year for England."

Before then, Arsenal face a crucial two-legged Champions League play-off, having beaten Newcastle 1-0 on the final day of the season to remain in fourth place in the league table ahead of Tottenham.